NuScale Power and Ultra Electronics Energy have unveiled a new safety display and indication system using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology representing the first application of FPGA technology for real time display and monitoring in the US commercial nuclear industry.
Image: NuScale, Ultra Electronics Energy launch new digital display system to strengthen nuclear safety. Photo: Courtesy of ilker/FreeImages.com.
The display system shows critical safety plant data in high resolution, high fidelity graphics for each of a NuScale plant’s 12 power modules, with dedicated displays for each reactor. The displays will receive input from NuScale’s Module Protection System and will not only enhance the already unparalleled safety of a NuScale Power Plant, but also continue to demonstrate the innovation NuScale brings to the industry.
NuScale co-founder and chief technology officer José Reyes said: “NuScale’s plant design brings superior safety features that are revolutionizing nuclear safety, and we’re proud to pioneer the use of FPGA technology in a ground-breaking application for our safety display system.
“We continue to make significant progress in the development of NuScale’s state-of-the-art digital instrumentation and control systems, as we build our systems from the ground up to meet technical, safety and regulatory criteria. Applying smarter, more efficient technology in this new context is not only great news for our company, but also for the US nuclear industry as a whole.”
Building upon the development of the Module Protection System, the safety display and indication system is the next step in how NuScale is re-imagining nuclear instrumentation and control systems in partnership with Ultra’s Texas-based subsidiary team.
The evolutionary digital display system has the capability to display safety-related reactor data in real-time, is configurable with multi-color, high-resolution graphics up to 1080p, and is able to graphically display historical data trends over a defined period of time. Use of FPGA technology also means a simpler, more efficient and predictable design: the safety display and indication system displays plant data without using microprocessors, operating systems, or software in the runtime environment.
In addition, the innovative design has improved obsolescence tolerance and reduced cyber security attack vectors compared to other digital display systems currently available. Overall, the benefits have led to a more predictable and efficient safety justification process.
Ultra strategy vice president Mark Ealing said: “These exceptional new safety displays show what is possible when two innovative companies come together and reimagine what the future of nuclear instrumentation and control systems can be. Ultra is proud to contribute to the success of America’s leading small modular reactor technology.”
NuScale’s small modular reactor design has unparalleled safety and reliability performance, is factory-made, and offers scalable power based on need – an unprecedented capability in the nuclear energy industry. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is scheduled to complete NuScale’s Design Certification application review in September, next year.
Source: Company Press Release